50 Chic Patio Ideas to Try For a Better Backyard

Whether you have a tiny patio or an expansive garden, our guide to creating a luxurious outdoor area will help you take full advantage of warm weather. So read on for stylish backyard and patio ideas to try in your own spaces, from colorful tile design tips to minimalist dining nooks. Fresh air and fresh style ahead.

Fantastic Frank

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Romantic Bench

A private little loveseat tucked away under the shade of the trees sets a romantic garden mood on this patio. Bonus points for matching the red and white fabric to the flowers climbing up the facade of the home.

Fantastic Frank

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All White Surfaces

An all-white patio keeps the area cooler when the sun beats down on it in the warmer months. It also allows the gorgeous florals to pop even more.

Nicole Hollis Studio

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Storage Hooks

Designed by Nicole Hollis Studio, this modern patio is both chic and functional. The hooks make it easy to hang towels and hats, keeping the area clear of clutter on warm summer days.

Robson Rak

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Modern Materials

This gallery-esque patio designed by Robson Rak shows off so many striking materials, from the cool marble tiles to the light brick walls and terrazzo stool.

LAURE JOLIET

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Custom Fire Pit

ETC.etera made this outdoor fire pit extra cozy and stylish by adding custom cushions to the built-in bench. The printed fabric adds character, color, and, most importantly, somewhere comfy to sit around the fire.

Fantastic Frank

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Outdoor Shower

This patio has all the bells and whistles, from a chic, raised jacuzzi to a sleek, tubular chrome outdoor shower to rinse off after soaking.

Kingston Lafferty Design

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Whimsical Tiles

You could opt for classic wood decking or you could take note from this Kingston Lafferty-designed patio and really make a splash. The whimsical tiles bring so much joy and buoyancy to the space while the modern sconces and cobalt blue table add a little edge.

Anson Smart

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Bistro Nook

If your patio is on the small side, just set up a cozy space to enjoy a cup of coffee with the morning paper—or a nightcap. On this patio by Arent & Pyke, the round pedestal table, built-in bench, and stools are all it takes to add a sense of style.

Dacian Groza

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Canopied Daybed

This dining patio designed by Heather Hilliard is ideal for outdoor celebrations while that canopied daybed beyond is great for casual lounging—not to mention, it adds tons of intrigue to the lawn that would otherwise be dead space.

Kingston Lafferty Design

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Corner Fountain

A corner fountain puts the finishing touches on this idyllic patio by Kingston Lafferty Design. Blue patio furniture break up the warmer tones from the exposed brick.

Jen Feldman

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Gravel and Hedges

Another flooring option for your patio? Gravel. Here, Jenn Feldman kept things grayscale with a concrete fire pit and complementary seating. The high hedges add both privacy and drama.

Coordinate your throw pillows to the florals and hang a timeless pendant light to polish things off. Plus, swapping out your pillows is the easy (and cost-effective) way to upgrade your patio each season.

Brittany Ambridge

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Versatile Patio Tables

Out on a Houston terrace designed by Celerie Kemble and Lindsey Herod, two square tables push together to accommodate larger gatherings. The Graves chairs are from McKinnon and Harris.

Lauren Stephanie Wells

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Artsy Chairs

This patio is both approachable and design-forward, laid-back and put together. For a similar vibe, opt for sling chairs that make a statement. Or, if you have some affordable sling chairs like this, get crafty and paint the canvas yourself.

Marion Brenner

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Breakfast Outdoor Patio

Wendy Owen created a "breakfast patio" for her Sonoma property using French café chairs and a stone table. The dishes are by Astier de Villatte.

Nicole Franzen

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A Lookout Point

While that green spiral staircase is seriously striking, the real showstopper here is the view. If your patio overlooks beautiful scenery, line up some lounge chairs and call it a day on the patio.

Always say yes to bougainvillea and fire pits. To make the seating area feel like its own nook on a larger patio, lay down some tiles that make it stand out.

Annie Schlechter

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Coordinating Patio Chairs

Adirondack chairs, painted to match a North Carolina getaway, invite guests to the terrace. Architect James Carter added another whimsical gesture—a closet in the chimney for firewood and outdoor furniture—to enhance the illusion that this newly constructed house is an antique.

PHOTO: Felix Forest; DESIGN: Arent & Pyke

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Elevated Seating

This stylish patio blends in beautifully with the natural environment thanks to the color scheme and materials. To make an outdoor space feel as put together as living room, introduce an outdoor rug and elevated seating like this modern porch swing.

Björn Wallander

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Patio Mood Lighting

Designer Jill Sharp Weeks brought in new vegetation, furniture, and string lights to help a Charleston garden feel like an extension of the home's first floor.

Nicole Franzen

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A Chic Hammock

Channel vacation vibes by hanging a slim hammock and nature-inspired furniture, like this stool and lounger. Then paint everything white and pretend you're in Santorini.

Fantastic Frank

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Concrete Jungle

This dining area blends in beautifully with the natural landscape. If you're in a city or your patio is small, use your vertical space to introduce greenery but maintain a sense of place with edgy, sleek furniture. Then hang some string lights to soften things up.

Victoria Pearson

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Patio Fire Bowl

With a low-key palette inspired by the backyard orange grove, this California vacation home embodies Ojai's no-hurries, no-worries vibe. A relaxed seating area with a fire bowl allows the family to linger outdoors on cool evenings.

Studio Lifestyle

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Dramatic Sofa Swings

Swing sofas are relaxing and comfortable, plus, they're more visually intriguing than your average seating. That's especially true if you play with scale and proportion, as is the case above.

Nicole Franzen

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Wide Open Space

Give your outdoor area a clubhouse vibe with a straw roof, ample seating, a bar, and mood lighting. Keep things open if the climate allows.

In the outdoor dining area of a Southern home designed by Michelle Prentice, Casamidy's Varenne chairs are painted the same creamy Glidden white as the exterior walls.

Studio Lifestyle

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An Outdoor Bar

Build a bar for more stylish entertaining outdoors. Choose an eye-catching tile design and hang string lights for a romantic, summery vibe like at this home designed by Studio Lifestyle. If you have the means to build a full-on outdoor kitchen, even better.

Trevor Tondro

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Gas Patio Fireplace

A gas-powered outdoor fireplace warms the loggia off an Atlanta home's great room (designed by Matthew Quinn) on crisp autumn evenings. The Ballard Designs planters are modeled on olive-oil jars.

Hadley MendelsohnDesign EditorHadley Mendelsohn is House Beautiful's design editor, and when she's not busy obsessing over all things decor-related, you can find her scouring vintage stores, reading, or stumbling about because she probably lost her glasses again.

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